MonTREP Director Russ Howard

Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP) Director Russ Howard has been in high demand recently as a public speaker and national media expert for his wide-ranging expertise on current international security threats.

The Christian Science Monitor featured Howard in a front page news story on March 29 titled “North Korea: What happens if Kim Jong-un acts on his threats?” The article was republished in a number of media outlets.

On March 26, Howard lectured at the Singapore Hometeam Academy’s International Conference on Terrorist Rehabilitation and Community Resilience addressing current, mid-term and long-term security threats. His address was featured in Asia One.

Also, second editions of two of Howard’s books on terrorism were also recently published by McGraw Hill, “Homeland Security and Terrorism: Readings and Interpretations” and “Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism.”

Lovely Umayam (MANPTS ’13)

Lovely Umayam (MANPTS '13 and Gard 'n' Wall Scholar) won first prize and was awarded $5,000 in the Innovation in Arms Control Challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance. Members of the public were invited to submit innovative approaches to using commonly available technologies to support arms control policy efforts, and the competition drew more than 500 submissions.

Lovely, a student in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program, developed "Bombshelltoe" (www.bombshelltoe.com), an online education platform that examines the intersection of popular culture and nuclear issues, in order to facilitate better understanding among the general public of basic nuclear and arms control-related issues. "In the nonproliferation field I've noticed that we take for granted some basic knowledge, like the difference between uranium and plutonium," said Lovely. "But the public is starting with zero knowledge, and usually they get their knowledge from movies and TV shows and so forth." She describes the goal of Bombshelltoe as being "to foster a more meaningful conversation about arms control issues" by exploring the intersection between nuclear policy and pop culture.

"Lovely is an amazing young woman, whose is equally adept in nonproliferation and social media," commented MIIS Professor and Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies William Potter. "It is to her great credit that she has found a creative way to marry the two subjects, and by so doing, help to combat ignorance and complacency about one of our greatest security challenges."

"Students come to the Monterey Institute because they want to work at the cutting edge of disciplines like nonproliferation, or translation and interpretation, or environmental policy," added MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy. "Lovely is a shining example of how our students are able to hit the ground running and have an immediate impact in whichever field they choose."

MonTREP conference keynote speaker Dr. Rohan Gunaratna.

Exploring the possible links between terrorism and international criminal cartels is the focus of a conference hosted by the Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Program (MonTREP) at the Monterey Institute of International Studies on February 22. “The Nexus Of Terrorism And Trafficking: Clear And Present Danger?” will bring together diverse experts in the fields of counterterrorism, trafficking and financing to discuss increasing concerns about the relationship between terrorism and criminal organizations.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, a world-renowned specialist on the global threat environment. He is head of Singapore’s International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), one of the largest counter-terrorism research and training centers in the world. Invited to testify before the 9-11 Commission regarding the structure of Al Qaeda, Gunaratna led the specialist team that built the UN Database on Al Qaeda, Taliban and related entities. Author and editor of 14 books, including “Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror” (Columbia University Press), an international bestseller, Gunaratna is also the lead author of Jane’s Counter Terrorism, a handbook for counter-terrorism practitioners.

Co-sponsored by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and McGraw Hill Education.

Conference
February 22 (Friday)
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Irvine Auditorium 
499 Pierce Street, Monterey
Registration is required at go.miis.edu/nexus

This event is free and open to the public.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with CNS Director Dr. William Potter, Mrs. Ban, MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy, and MIIS Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies students.

In a major policy address delivered at the Monterey Institute of International Studies on January 18, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke passionately about his vision of a more peaceful future and lauded the role played by the Institute in promoting disarmament and nonproliferation education. He gave special recognition to the innovative and effective teaching methods of Dr. William Potter, founding director of the Institute’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

Of Monterey Institute students Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “The world needs your skills and commitment, especially in advancing disarmament and non-proliferation.” Those are “great causes” he said, and also part of his “personal and professional DNA.” Ban Ki-moon is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations and has often talked about how growing up in war on the Korean peninsula led him to a career in international diplomacy.

In his address at the Monterey Institute he gave a status report on the five-point plan on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation he launched early in his tenure - accountability; the rule of law; partnerships; the role of the Security Council; and education. He stressed that every nation has a vital role to play and that there are “no right hands for wrong weapons.”

A recurring theme the Secretary-General touched on in his address was that “The world is over-armed. Peace is under-funded.” He spoke of the disparity between spending for warfare and weapons and funding for development and peace-building efforts such as education.

Before addressing a packed Irvine Auditorium on Friday morning, the Secretary-General met privately with President Ramaswamy and Dr. Potter and posed for a photo with students in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program. The Secretary-General also extended a formal welcome to the Institute on its joining the United Nations Academic Impact initiative.

In his public welcome for the Secretary-General, President Ramaswamy noted the Institute’s “long history of close collaboration with the United Nations,” adding that it is “difficult to walk the halls of the UN for any length of time without becoming acquainted with one of our alumni,” including interpreters, translators, diplomats, nonproliferation experts, NGO representatives and others.

The address was interpreted by Monterey Institute Conference Interpretation students in four languages; Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Korean.

To watch the entire address please visit go.miis.edu/unsg. The full text of the Secretary-General’s remarks is available on the UN website.  For a slideshow of photos from the day click here.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with CNS Director Dr. William Potter, Mrs. Ban, MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy, and MIIS Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies students.

In a major policy address delivered at the Monterey Institute of International Studies on January 18, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke passionately about his vision of a more peaceful future and lauded the role played by the Institute in promoting disarmament and nonproliferation education. He gave special recognition the innovative and effective teaching methods of Dr. William Potter, founding director of the Institute’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

Of Monterey Institute students Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “The world needs your skills and commitment, especially in advancing disarmament and non-proliferation.” Those are “great causes” he said, and also part of his “personal and professional DNA.” Ban Ki-moon is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations and has often talked about how growing up in war on the Korean peninsula led him to a career in international diplomacy.

In his address at the Monterey Institute he gave a status report on the five-point plan on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation he launched early in his tenure - accountability; the rule of law; partnerships; the role of the Security Council; and education. He stressed that every nation has a vital role to play and that there are “no right hands for wrong weapons.”

A recurring theme the Secretary-General touched on in his address was that “The world is over-armed. Peace is under-funded.” He spoke of the disparity between spending for warfare and weapons and funding for development and peace-building efforts such as education.

Before addressing a packed Irvine Auditorium on Friday morning, the Secretary-General met privately with President Ramaswamy and Dr. Potter and posed for a photo with students in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program. The Secretary-General also extended a formal welcome to the Institute on its joining the United Nations Academic Impact initiative.

In his public welcome for the Secretary-General, President Ramaswamy noted the Institute’s “long history of close collaboration with the United Nations,” adding that it is “difficult to walk the halls of the UN for any length of time without becoming acquainted with one of our alumni,” including interpreters, translators, diplomats, nonproliferation experts, NGO representatives and others.

The address was interpreted by Monterey Institute Conference Interpretation students in four languages; Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Korean.

To watch the entire address please visit go.miis.edu/unsg. The full text of the Secretary-General’s remarks is available on the UN website.  For a slideshow of photos from the day click here.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will speak at MIIS on January 18

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver a major address on disarmament and nonproliferation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies on Friday, January 18. The event is being co-hosted by the Institute and its James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), the world’s leading research center focused on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address, titled "Advancing the Disarmament and Nonproliferation Agenda: Seeking Peace in an Over-armed World," will discuss a range of disarmament and nonproliferation challenges facing the United Nations and the international community. At the conclusion of his address, the Secretary-General will engage in a question and answer session with the audience, which will include Monterey Institute students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters and friends.

As Secretary-General, Mr. Ban’s priorities have been to mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy and water. He has sought to rejuvenate the disarmament agenda through a five-point plan, efforts to break the deadlock at the Conference on Disarmament and renewed attention to nuclear safety and security in the aftermath of the tragedy at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

“I grew up in war,” the Secretary-General has said, “and saw the United Nations help my country to recover and rebuild. That experience was a big part of what led me to pursue a career in public service. As Secretary-General, I am determined to see this Organization deliver tangible, meaningful results that advance peace, development and human rights.”

“We are delighted and honored to host the Secretary-General at the Monterey Institute,” commented MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy. “Numerous Institute alumni work at the United Nations and its associated agencies today, putting our commitment to training the next generation of international professionals into practice.”

The Secretary-General’s visit to Monterey comes at the invitation of CNS Founding Director William Potter. Established at MIIS in 1989, CNS maintains offices in Monterey and Washington, DC, and also operates the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in collaboration with the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

The Monterey Institute’s unique Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program builds on the world-class expertise resident in CNS, as well as the Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP). The Monterey Institute is also home to one of the world’s most highly regarded programs for professional translators and interpreters, and well-known programs in international policy studies, public administration, and international environmental policy.

Please note that due to limited seating availability, attendance at this ticketed event is for invited guests and credentialed media only. The event will also be live-streamed on the Internet at go.miis.edu/unsg.

CNS Deputy Director Leonard Spector appeared on PBS NewsHour on Dec. 5.

The world-class experts at the Monterey Institute’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) are in high demand in national and international media whenever there is breaking news related to matters of security and weapons of mass destruction. On December 14, 2012, Reuters, the Washington Post, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Inter Press Agency each published stories featuring a CNS expert:

• The Washington Post quotes Visiting Fellow Bilal Saab in story about intelligence related to the threat of the Assad regime in Syria using chemical weapons.
• Reuters quotes Senior Research Associate Miles Pomper in a news wire about a discussions between the IAEA and Iran about allowing UN inspectors to visit sites with suspected nuclear applications.
• The Inter Press Agency quotes Scientist-in-Residence Yousaf Butt and mentions his detection of mistakes in a graph published by the Associated Press allegedly showing evidence of Iranian computer modeling of nuclear weapons yield. (Butt is also quoted on the same topic in the The Washington Post.)
• Finally, many Americans woke up to hear Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program, on NPR’s popular Morning Edition explaining what he thinks the North Korean rocket launch this week tells us about Iran’s role. In his view, Iran is now assisting North Korea with their rocket technology.

Earlier this month, CNS experts were featured in numerous other media outlets such as BBC News, the Christian Science Monitor and Newswire explaining complex security issues and commenting on breaking news. On December 5, Deputy Director Leonard Spector was a guest on PBS NewsHour exploring and explaining the threat of chemical weapons in Syria.